Blood Cancer – Know the Signs, Causes & Diagnosis

Blood cancer, also known as leukaemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Bone marrow is responsible for the production of blood cells in the body.

Leukaemia could happen when there is a problem with the production of blood cells in the body. This kind of cancer usually affects the white blood cells or leukocytes in the body. Blood cancer treatment is possible, however, the treatment clearly depends upon the type of cancer that a person is suffering from.

Causes of blood cancer:

Blood cancer happens when the DNA of immature blood cells, majorly the white cells becomes damaged in one way or the other. This process then causes the blood cell to divide or grow continuously until there are too many. All the healthy blood cells in the body die after a certain period and then they are replaced by the new ones which are produced in the bone marrow of a person.

All the abnormal blood cells do not die when they should, thereby accumulating and occupying more space. As more cancer cells are produced, they stop the growth and function of the healthy white blood cells. Eventually, the bad cells crowd out all the good cells in the body, thereby spreading cancer. The best treatment for cancer in India is possible if leukaemia is diagnosed at an early stage.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of blood cancer or leukaemia might vary, depending upon the type of blood cancer caused in the body. However, the most common signs and symptoms of leukaemia include persistent weakness and fatigue, fever or chills, several and frequent infections, losing weight without trying, easy bruising and bleeding, swollen lymph nodes, excessive sweating during the night, recurrent nose bleeding, bone pain or tenderness and many others.

When to see a doctor?

You must see your doctor for blood cancer treatment at the earliest. It is suggested to make an appointment with your doctor if you are suffering from persistent signs and symptoms of blood cancer that have started to bother you a lot. The symptoms of leukaemia are usually vague and not so specific. You might overlook the early symptoms of the disease as they might resemble the symptoms of flu, and various other common illnesses as well.

Diagnosis:

The best treatment for cancer in India is possible only after the diagnosis of cancer. A doctor usually carries out a physical examination. A doctor also checks the signs of anaemia as well as feel for an enlarged liver or spleen. A doctor might also ask you for a blood sample for carrying out the assessment in the laboratory. If the blood cancer is suspected by the doctor, he generally suggests a bone marrow test.

Treatment:

There are various kinds of blood cancers and they affect different people differently. The treatment options usually depend upon the type of blood cancer that a person is suffering from. Furthermore, factors such as age and overall health state of a person are also considered during blood cancer treatment. Chemotherapy is considered to be the main treatment option for blood treatment. Other treatments include targeted therapy, interferon therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and stem cell transplantation.